School Boards Fight Back Against Anti-Capitalism Resolution

On Monday, June 26, 2023, Kim Monson tackled the Colorado Education Association’s controversial resolution condemning capitalism with three school board members who are taking bold action. Bryson Miller of Brush, Mick Bates of Woodland Park, and Ryan Graham of Monument Academy explain how rural Colorado values are pushing back against the woke agenda infiltrating public education.

Rural School Boards Take a Stand for Capitalism

Start listening at 34:00 – Hour 1

Bryson Miller, school board member in Brush, Colorado, learned about the CEA’s anti-capitalism resolution through a Fox News story featuring Woodland Park’s response. The resolution stated that the Colorado Education Association “believes that capitalism inherently exploits children, public schools, land, labor, and resources.” Miller reached out to CEA for the complete resolution text but received no response.

The Brush school board passed their own resolution in response, affirming support for capitalism and the Constitution. Miller emphasized that capitalism provides the economic foundation for Colorado public education and enables student participation in extracurricular activities. He stressed that a small percentage of “rotten eggs” have infiltrated organizations like CEA, the Colorado Association of School Boards, and the Colorado Department of Education, pushing an agenda that doesn’t represent most teachers or communities.

“Our board passed a resolution that simply stated that we are in support of capitalism and the Constitution of the United States, and that our board recognizes that capitalism provides an economic system allowing for private ownership for profit, which in return is the primary funding source for Colorado public education.”

Bryson Miller, Brush School Board Member

Woodland Park Leads the Pushback

Start listening at 38:00 – Hour 1

Mick Bates, school board member from Woodland Park, was among the first to publicly reject the CEA resolution. When confronted, the local union representative attempted to distance themselves from the state organization, but CEA ultimately stood behind their anti-capitalism stance. Bates noted that the resolution exposes what teachers unions are truly about, and it does not reflect the small-town values of Teller County.

Both Miller and Bates made clear that most teachers do not share this radical ideology. The majority of Colorado’s 39,000 educators represented by CEA are dedicated professionals doing their jobs for the right reasons. The problem lies with a vocal minority that has captured leadership positions in educational organizations.

“Capitalism is what made this country as special as it is, and it’s attempting to be torn down by the very people that have been made successful by it.”

Mick Bates, Woodland Park School Board Member

Monument Academy’s Bold Proclamation on Student Privacy

Start listening at 10:00 – Hour 2

Ryan Graham, board member at Monument Academy in El Paso County, authored a proclamation addressing student privacy and gender identity policies. The proclamation declares that Monument Academy supports natural law, moral truth, and the protection of student innocence, vulnerability, and privacy. Graham explained that House Bill 21-1108 codified gender expression and gender identity into Colorado’s anti-discrimination statutes, creating a complicated legal environment for schools.

The proclamation asserts that parents, not schools, have fundamental responsibility for their children’s well-being. It also states that laws mandating specific instruction on non-biological gender identity violate natural law and expose students to undue harm. Graham announced a town hall meeting for the following evening to discuss these issues with the Monument Academy community.

“This is not about waging war against these children that are expressed or identify as a gender that doesn’t correlate with their biological sex. This is not about inciting hatred. My heart actually breaks for these children due to the fact that they’re being saddled with this agenda at a very young age.”

Ryan Graham, Monument Academy School Board Member